The Member representing Igueben Constituency in the Edo House of Assembly, Eugene Inegbebohon, has faulted claims by the police and the Edo State Security Corps, that they rescued Chief Friday Ehizojie, the traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare kingdom in Igueben Local Government Area.
It would be recalled that the monarch was kidnapped on February 3 along with five others on a lonely path leading to the community.
The traditional ruler regained freedom on February 7 from the gunmen who kidnapped him.
The Edo State Police Command had disclosed that the traditional ruler was rescued unhurt by operatives of the command.
However, barely two days after the police statement, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, also claimed that the traditional ruler was rescued by the operatives of the corps.
Inegbebohon, during plenary on Monday, debunked the claims of the police and the ESSC, saying the community paid ransom for the release of their king.
He said: “Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler.
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“The information was for them to see what they could do but at the end of the day, they did nothing.
“None of them knew how the traditional ruler came back home, but only for them to come out now and start claiming the glory and taking pictures with him after his release.”
According to Inegbebohon, some people even went to the social media to claim that they are the ones that rescued him.
He said: “How do you rescue a person from kidnappers’ den without the culprits being apprehended?
“Did they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home?
“If they know the kidnappers they should show us.
“Mr. Speaker, I make bold to say that even though they would not want to agree, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought back our king home.
“So, Mr. Speaker, nobody should claim that glory that they rescued him.
“It is wrong.”
Inegbebohon commended his colleagues for their sympathy during the trying period.
He also thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the swift response and logistics support for security agencies during the period.
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